Electrical distribution system



Oct. 6, 1959 E. T. CARLSON ETAL 2,907,839

ELECTRICAL YDISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Original Filed Nov. 3, 1954 3Sheets-Sheet 1 l l l l l I l l l I -.---J

Y 0t 6, 1959 E. T. CARLSON ET AL 2,907,839

ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM flag Zan?

5y @l l" I l Hnlllulllulhvullnllllll'llnlllululllv Jiffy 'TTT lIIIIIIIIIIL l Tr E. T. CARLSON ETAL ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM Oct,6, 1959 Original Filed Nov. 3, 1954 Se@ Patent Distribution Products,Inc., Allentown, Pa., a corporationof Delaware Original applicationNovember 3, 1954, Serial No. 466,467. Divided and this applicationJanuary 9, 1956, Serial No. 558,028

8 Claims. (Cl. 200-50) This invention relates to electrical distributionsystems and is directed more particularly to the type commonly referredto as bfusways including an elongated metal housing or duct havingtherein elongated electrical conductors or bus bars.

The present application is a division of our copendng application SerialNo. 466,467, tiled November 3, 1954, for Electrical Distribution System.The claims relating to the conduit with interior conductor supports havebeen retained in the parent application.

According to a feature of the invention apertured housing means isprovided to completely enclose connected together terminals ofconductors of adjacent duct sections not only to provide protection butto facilitate cooling and ventilation.

As a still further feature of the invention protective means is providedto safeguard operating personnel against electrical shock, burns, fallsand other injuries inherent to some degree at least in prior artdistribution systems.

To that end supporting and insulating means for the conductors or busbars is carried by pairs of metal platesl which are secured within theduct. Said insulating means is provided with apertures for the passageof contactors therethrough which may extend through the ductandyieldingly and electrically make contact with the bus bars.

The said supporting and insulating means are so formedand secured withinthe duct therealong in such a manner as to maintain the conductors inuniformly spaced and paired-phase relationship.

The duct is provided with openings through which the contactors mayextend and safety plates normally extend across and close said openings.Said plates are releasably locked in closed position andare unlocked formovement to open position by means associated with a plug-in box havingcontactors to be projected into contact with the bus bars. Thus with thesafety plates releasably locked in closed position access to the busbars is prevented. Said safety plates may be moved to open position onlyas a plug-in box is connected and locked to the duct by the safetyplate. When so locked the contactors may be projected into contact withthe bus bars. To release a plug-in box the safety plate is moved toclosed position and may not be moved to closedposition until thecontactors have been retracted by the plug-in box.

A form of plug-in box is that shown in our copending application and asthe description proceeds it will be apparent that the safety featureshereof are applicable to a panel, wall or any `other structure havingbusbars associated therewith with which contactors are tol be engaged.

All of the above cited objects I accomplish by means.,

of such structure and relative arrangement of parts thereof, as willfully appear by a perusal of the description below and by variousspecific features which will be hereinafter set forth.

To these above and other ends and with the foregoing and various otherand ancillary features and advantages and objects Vof our invention aswill become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, ourinvention consists in certain yfeatures of novelty, in a mode ofoperation, and in the combination, organization, and arrangement ofparts as will be hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the claimshereunto annexed and more fully described and referred to in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is an elevational view of a wall of the duct showing a safetylocking plate associated therewith and in its closed position;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with the safety plate in its openposition;

Fig. 3 is a sectionalview on the line 3-3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a sectionalfview on the line 4 4 of Fig 2;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional View showing one of the supporting andinsulating devices for conductors associated with the duct;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational View of one of the insulator supports forthe bus bars shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line 7 7 of Fig. 6 to shown one of thelocking means for the safety plate;

Fig. S is an elevational view of a panel to further illustrate certainfeatures of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the panel shown in Fig. 8.

Referring now to the drawings in detail the novel features of theinvention will be described.

A duct section is formed by a pair of elongated metal channel membershaving outer walls 6, side walls 8 and side flanges 10.

The bus bars are arranged suitably in two groups, one group 20, 2l and22 lying in one plane and another group 20', 21' and 22' lying inanother plane.

Means for supporting and insulating the bus bars will now be describedwith particular reference to Figs. 5, 6, and 7.

. Such means is indicated generally by `54 and each consists of a pairof similar metal brackets 56 and a pair of insulators 57. Each bracket54 is formed in the shape of a U to have an outer side 58, and end walls60 having llanges 62. The llanges 62 carry bosses 64 and are disposed inthe spaces between the llanges 10 of the duct section channels. Thebrackets and flanges are secured by bolts 66, as shown.

The insulators 57 are confined within the brackets 54 there being alayer of yieldable material 68 therebetween which may be felt or thelike.

The supporting and insulating means are spaced along the duct sectionsand system to adequately support the conductors and maintain the desireduniform relationship.

The brackets are slotted at 7), as shown in Fig. 6, and outer portionsof the insulators lit therein. Adjacent inner faces of the insulators 57are provided with spaced grooves 72 which on their inner sides and endsare lined with somewhat thin insulating material 74. The conductors 20to 22 and 20 to 22 extend through the slots 72 of the insulators andinsulating blocks 76 are disposed between the insulators 57 and adjacentsides of the bus bars. Thus the bus bars are securely held againstdisplacement and the brackets are securely held by the duct.

As will be observed the bus bars are arranged with llat inner faces inrelatively close and paired-phase relationship for the before mentionedadvantages.

As previously stated the bus bars will be engaged by contactors forwhich purpose the insulators are provided with openings 78 extendingtherethrough to the bus bars. As shown the bus bars may be encased ininsulating material except where they are to be engaged by a contactor.

The walls 6 of the duct sections are provided with elongated openings 80which are `disposed over the openings 78 of the insulators and safetyplate means is provided as shown in Figs'. 1l and 2. One such plate isindicated by S2' and rivets 84' or'the like of said plate are slidablein ever, the platel 82 is releasably held against movement from closedpositionby meansshown-in Figs. 6ta-nd 7.

Leaf springs 92 secured to the outer sides S8 of the brackets 54 carrybuttons 94. With the plate 82 in the closed position shown in Fig. 1 theaction `is such that the buttons 94 extend-into enlargedends 96 of slots97 of the plate and prevent movement thereof to open position. VThe wall6 is. provided with openings 98-over said buttons for receiving studs100 of a plug-in box 102. Said stud 100 as shown in Fig. 4'hasatbodyf101, a re'- duced neckv 102 and an end-103 smaller than the body.The openings 98 of wall 6 are of a diameter to suitably receive the body101 of the stud. The end 103 of the stud is of a diameter forinsertioninthe enlarged" end 96 of slot- 97' of the-plate. Asfstud 100 is insertedin and pressed through opening 98 of the wall the smaller end 103 of thestud depresses the spring pressed button 94and`the'body 101-o`f the studdepresses plate'82 slightly against the spring washers. The neck 102 ofthe stud beinginthe'slot 97"' of :the plate'- 82v said plate may bemoved from closed-'position of"Fig. l to open position of Fig. 2. Thestud is locked to the wall bymeans-of the end 103501? the:stud'which-underlies plate 92 and is ofl greater diameterthan thetransverse width of slot 97. Thus a plug-in b'oxfl-iav-ing studs, asdescribed, may be locked. rThe studs and thereby a-b'ox carrying thestuds is released by-sli-din-gfthe plate to closed position where-- uponthe` ends 103 of the studs may be vwithdraw-'n through theflarge ends 96of slots 97. On withdrawal buttons 94 enter and-close` the large ends 96of slots-97 and lock the plate -82`against movement.

Plug-inbox a portion of which is designated by P hasv contactors110'disposed in members 112 which are movable between a retracted andextended-conductor contacting positions by mechanism associated withthebox. Said box is provided withstuds 100'already described.

With the contactors 110 in retracted position and locking plate 82 inclosed'position thev studs are. inserted in the holes 98 of the duct.Unless the contactors are retracted they will abut th'eflocking` platetoy prevent insertion of the studs; v

As the studs are inserted the locking plate is released. for movement toopen position during which it locks the studs and box to the duct, asexplained.

When so locked thecontactors are extended so that they pass`throughopening 80 of the duct and openings 78 of the insulator 57 intocontact'withthe conductors.. To release the Ibox the contactors areretracted since otherwise the plateA cannot bel rnoved to closedposition to release thestuds.

It will be understood that similar vplug-in boxes may he connected toand locked in position on opposite sides;- of the duct so as to inakecircuits With'paired-phase conductors. Also -it will be noted that"plug-in boxes' may be locked in connection withI the duct'at variouspoints therealong to meet various load-requirements.

4? ened so that the box is pulled against wall 6. YThe bolts cooperatewith locking means.A engaging.. the studs .to se.- cure the box inplace.

According to the invention a wall may have the locking means associatedtherewith so that a plug-in box may be connected thereto'ffor-thecontactors thereof to make contact with bus bars rearwardly of saidwall.

For illustrative' purposes a panel is represented by 140 in Figs; 8 andr9. Busbars142fextend-upwardly aty the rear of.y the; panels andconductors or bus barsI 144 connected. thereto extend; inA groupsloutwardly. therefrom. Said bus bars are enclosed in a housing 146 'at'therear of'thepanel.

Therpanel is providedwithopenings suohzas 83 to permit contactors ofplug-in boxes P tomake contact with the bars 144. Holes 148 are providedfor studs of the plug-in box whichhave beendescribed.

Slidable lock plates such as 82 previously described are provided'l atthe rear of the panel. These plates willbe operable inconjunction'withithe studs of the plug-.in hox to releasably lockthe box'to thexpanel.

There maybe. provisions. for as many circuits and plug-in boxes as maybe desired and an enclosure 150 on` theV forward side or"v thespacesifor theboxes is provided to accommodate cablesfrom.r the boxes...

' The'invention may be embodied ini other specific formsWithoutdeparting.fromv the essential characteristics thereof. Hence, thepresent embodiments are *therefore to be considered in all respects.merelyas.being'illustiative and notas being restrictive, thev scope ofthe-invention being indicated by the appendedclair'ns rather than `bythe foregoing.V description 1. and. allmodications. and variations asfall within the meaning and purview andrangeof'equivalencyof theappendedclaims. are therefore intended to be vembraced Itherein.

What'lit is desired'to claimv and securezby Letters Patentofthe United.States is:

1. In a safety bus duct construction for use with a plug-in device.having. electrical contactors: and having safetyy projections, bus bar;means extending longitudinally a. housing: surrounding the bus.. barimeans and having a lateral opening through. whichy the electricalcontactors of theplug-in devicecan be inserted, insulating meansmaintaining the/bus bar means. in insulated relation from the housingVand fromione another, a movable safety cover extending along onesurfaceiofth'e housing `adjacent the. opening-in thenhousing, inuone.position covering the opening in the housingandin another positionuncovering the opening in the housing, means for moving thesafety coverbetween' its" adjacent positions, there. being recesses on thehousingldisposed in line with thefsafety projections on the plug-indevice, .therelbeing locking recesses in. the` cover in line with therecessesV on Other locking means for securing a plug-in box tto a;

wall such as thelwall 'of a duct is shown in Fig.- 5;

Bolts 120 have inner threaded ends 122v which'extend loosely through thewall of` the box. Nuts 124' in threaded engagement therewith draw thebolts inwardly.

the housing, and locking projection ymeans on the bus duct in' closedposition of the. safety cover in line with and entering the lockingrecesses. ontheisafety cover and locking' the safety cover, dellected bythe safety projections on theplugdn devicev to leave-the lockingrecesses on the safety cover, and when thus deflected permittingtheusafety cover to be shifted to open position..

2. Infasafety bus duct construction, aJplu'g-in'device having safetyprojections'and havingcontactors, in cornbination with a bus .ductcomprising a'housing having a lateral opening-for access ofthecontactorsof the :plug-in device, bus bars yin the housing,insulating. means supportingthe bus bars lin the housing in insulatedrelation to the housing and to one anotherand in linewith the opening inthe housing, a movable safety cover` extending along one surface of thehousing adjacent the opening and havin'g'one position in whichthe-safety'cover'is closed f over fthe'opening andanotherpositioninswhich' the safety "cover-leaves the openingopen,meansffor moving the safety coverbetween its open and closed'lposition,there Outer hook'ends v126 of the bolts engage in openings 128'?.

providedin walls Soi thedct. The nuts may be tightbeing recesses in thehousing which are Ain line with the safety projections on` theplug-indevice, there being locking recesses in the safety cover in line withthe recesses in the housing, and locking projection means on the busduct which in one position of the safety cover extend into the lockingrecesses of the safety cover, holding the safety cover closed and which,when the plug-in device is in place, are deflected by the safetyprojections on the plug-in device to leave the locking recesses, andpermit shifting of the safety cover to open position.

3. In a safety bus duct and plug-in combination, a plugin device havingelectrical contactors and having safety projections which includeinterlock slots on the safety projections, in combination with a busduct comprising a housing having a lateral opening which receives theelectrical contactors of the plug-in device, the housing having recesseswhich are in line with the safety projections on the plug-in device andwhen the plug-in device is in place receive the safety projections, busbars in the housing, means in the housing for insulating the bus barsfrom the housing and from one another and supporting the bus bars inline with the opening, a safety cover extending along one surface of thehousing adjacent the opening having an open position in which theopening is uncovered by the safety cover and having a closed position inwhich the opening is covered by the safety cover, there being lockingrecesses in the safety cover in line with the recesses in the housing,locking projection means on the bus duct, which in closed position ofthe safety cover extends into locking engagement with the safety coverin the locking recesses when the plug-in device is not in place andwhich, when the plug-in device is in place, are deected from the lockingrecesses to permit the shifting of the safety cover to open position,interlock groove means on the locking projection means, and interlockslot means on the safety cover which in open position of the safetycover engage the interlock groove means on the safety projections of theplug-in device and hold the plugin device to the bus duct.

4. In a safety bus duct device, a plug-in device having electricalcontactors and having safety projections provided with lateral grooves,in combination with a bus duct comprising a housing having a lateralopening through which the electrical contactors of the plug-in deviceextend, and having recesses which, when the plug-in device is in place,receive the safety projections, bus bars in the housing which areengaged by the electrical contactors, electrical supporting andinsulating means insulating the bars and holding them in line with theopening, a safety cover extending along the housing adjacent theopening, having a closed position in which the safety cover closes theopening and an open position in which the safety cover opens theopening, there being locking recesses on thet safety cover which inclosed position of the safety cover are in line with the recesses on thehousing, guide means on the bus duct guiding the safety cover betweenits limiting positions, operating means for moving the safety coverbetween its limiting positions, locking projection means from the busduct which in closed position of the safety cover enter the lockingrecesses when the plug-in device is not in place, and which in closedposition of the safety cover are deected from the locking recesses whenthe plug-in device is in place, and groove means on the lockingprojections, there being slots on the safety cover which engage in thegrooves of the locking projections when the safety cover is shifted toopen position.

5. A safety bus duct comprising a housing having an opening and havingrecesses, bus bars in the housing, supporting and insulating meanspositioning the bus bars in insulated relation to the housing and to oneanother in line with the opening, a safety cover positioned on theinside of the housing against the wall of the housing, having an openingwhich in open position aligns with the opening in the housing, thesafety cover in closed position closing the opening in the housing,there being locking recesses in the safety cover which in closedposition of thte safety cover are in line with the recesses in thehousing, locking dogs located inside the housing and movable between aposition in which they engage in the locking recesses and a position inwhich they are deflected from the locking recesses by pressure appliedthrough the housing recesses, spring means connected to the locking dogsfrom the bus duct and urging the locking dogs to engage in the lockingopening, guide means cooperating between the safety cover and thehousing for guiding the safety cover, and means operable at the outsideof the housing and connecting with the safety cover to permit moving thesafety cover when the locking dogs are released.

6. A bus duct of claim 5, in combination with slot means in the safetycover in line with the recesses in the housing and extendinglongitudinally of the safety cover in the direction of motion.

7. A bus duct of claim 6, in combination rwith a plugin device havingstuds provided with necks of reduced diameter intermediate the oppositeends of the studs, the studs being in line with the recesses in thehousing and the walls of the studs in the reduced necks engaging in theslot means of the safety cover when the safety cover isA open, the studsdeflecting the locking dogs from the locking openings when the plug-indevice is in place.

8. A bus duct of claim 5, in which the safety cover has an off-setportion which in closed position engages in the opening in the housing,in combination with means urging the safety cover against the wall ofthe housing, the safety cover by holding the off-set portion in theopening, securing against its easy shift of position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re.20,436 Frank July 6, 1937 362,926 Benninghaus May 17, 1887 2,322,799Frank June 29, 1943 2,439,270 Sharp Apr. 6, 1948 2,444,648 Jackson etal. July 8, 1948 2,552,061 Popp May 8, 1951 2,766,342 Johnson Oct. 9,1956 2,861,139 Platz et al. Nov. 18, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 702,778Germany Feb. 15, 1941

